In the White Paper on China's National Defense 2010, China unequivocally pushes for the building of a mutual trust mechanism that features equality and co-ordination, mutual benefit and effectiveness. Its publication demonstrates China’s focus on strengthening international arms knowledge and exchange but also reflects the military’s self-confidence in its own modernization.

Although China adheres to its long-held national defense policy which is defensive in nature, the form and content of that policy have been evolving to adapt to the changing environment, missions and objectives, ranging from the security of China’s traditional land, sea and air territory, to the safety of maritime, outer space, and cyberspace interests. These shifts, however, do not mean that China gives up the defensive nature of its policy.

Given the important transition of leadership that looms on the political horizon next year, perhaps Beijing’s elite believes it can leave nothing in the political sphere to chance. After all, historically, visible divisions in the leadership can lead to tests of tolerance of dissent in the streets.